HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-02 Special Meeting February 2, 2022
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SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
February 2, 2022
A Special Meeting of the Lansing Town Board was held at the Town Hall Board Room,
29 Auburn Road, Lansing, NY, and streamed live on YouTube on the above date at
6:34 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Edward LaVigne, Supervisor, and opened
with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll call by Jessica Hall, Deputy Town Clerk,
showed the following to be
PRESENT:
Andra Benson, Councilperson Ruth Groff, Councilperson (remotely)
Bronwyn Losey, Councilperson (remotely) Joseph Wetmore, Councilperson (remotely)
Edward LaVigne, Supervisor
ABSENT: No one absent
ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Tyrrell, Parks & Recreation Supervisor, Ethan Bodnaruk and
a few other attendees.
ALSO PRESENT REMOTELY: Guy Krogh, Town Counsel, Clement Nadeau,
Strategic Consultant
CRYPTOCURRENCY, “PROOF OF WORK OPERATIONS”, MORATORIUM
Clement Nadeau, Strategic Consultant, stated the following:
• Cayuga Operating Company, LLC (power plant) expressed interest in bitcoin
mining operation
• Finger Lakes Land Trust – no interest participating in bitcoin operations
• Needs clarity if Town of Lansing Resolution supporting datacenter includes
bitcoin mining
• High energy, low job creation projects (like bitcoin mining) do not make
significant contributions to economic development
Councilperson Joseph Wetmore shared:
• Spring of 2019, Town Board passed resolution supporting datacenter at Cayuga
Operating Company, LLC
o At that time, Town was given a pamphlet from power plant
▪ Item 3d states “Not targeting bitcoin or any other cybercurrency”
Town Board and Town Counsel discussed the following:
• Land use regulation options
o Zoning
▪ Approve changes before Town receives application
o Moratorium
▪ Then change zoning
• Can Town state this industry not allowed in Lansing
o Definitions need to be correct
o Within Town’s policing power
o Must be tied to comprehensive plan
Board decision to proceed with amending zoning (not a moratorium)
• Code Revision Committee tasked with suggesting changes
o 1st Code Revision Committee meeting – February 3, 2022
o How will zoning be enforced
o Recommendations to be sent to Planning Board and Town Board
• Town Counsel to assist with definitions and drafting local law
o Possibly for review in March
• Can do a moratorium later, if necessary
February 2, 2022
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MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilperson Joseph Wetmore moved to ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION TO
DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ACQUISTION/SALE/LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY
WHEN PUBLICITY MIGHT AFFECT VALUE AT 7:42 PM.
Councilperson Ruth Groff seconded the motion.
All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0
MOTION TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilperson Joseph Wetmore moved to EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:00 PM.
Councilperson Ruth Groff seconded the motion.
All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING
Councilperson Joseph Wetmore moved to ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:01 PM.
Councilperson Andra Benson seconded the motion.
All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0
Minutes taken and executed by the Deputy Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica L. Hall
Deputy Town Clerk